Spring structure



Feb. 20, 1934.

W. A. FALLS SPRING STRUCTURE Filed April 19, 1933 )iu vf ATTORNEY9 INVENTOR I/V/Y/M/fi d. F'd/J Patented F eb. 2( 1934 SPRING STRUCTURE William A. Falls, Detroit, Mich, assignor to L. A. Young Spring & Wire Corporation, Detroit,

Application April 19, 1933. Serial No. 666,813 2 Claims. (Cl. 155-180) The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved border frame structure for seat cushions and the like in which the ends of the parts constituting the frame are so joined as to provide a very strong rigid structure and to present a substantially continuous spring or support engaging part and one which permits the positioning of the springs or spring supports as may be desired.

Second, to provide a structure of this character having substantially right angled corners which at the same time possesses substantial strength or rigidity.

Third, to provide a joint for abutting parts of a border frame that permits continuous securing of the upholstery and at the same time rigidly and effectively connects such abutting parts.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary inverted view of a structure embodying the features of my invention, a portion only of the body springs being illustrated or indicated.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the joint portion of the frame.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section of the frame through the joint prior to the assembling of the spring at this point.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary bottom view showing the miter cut prior to bending the frame. at the corners.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary plan view showing the miter out prior to the bending of the frame.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the relation of the parts after the frame is bent to a substantial right angle at the corners.

Referring to the drawing, 1 designates the border frame of the spring structure generally, 2 the body springs and 3 the cross strips connecting the rows of body springs. The border frame 1 illustrated is substantially that shown in my Patent No. 1,899,188 issued February 28, 1933, my improvements being especially valuable when embodied in the type of structure there illustrated.

The frame comprises a downwardly facing channel 4 formed of sheet metal folded upon itself, the edges 5 of the flanges 6 of this channel being clamped upon the tacking strip 7 which is preferably of fabricated fibrous material such as twisted paper suitably treated and compressed to make a continuous strip of substantial body well adapted to receive and retain the upholstery securing tacks. The upholstery is not illustrated. The edges 5 are rolled upon the edges of this tacking strip to leave the continuous longitudinal midportion 8 thereof exposed to receive the tacks.

A midportion of the web 9 of the channel is folded directly upon itself into overlapping metal to metal contact throughout to form an inwardly projecting clamping flange 10, this flange coacting with the top of the channel to provide an inwardly facing channel adapted to receive the bottom coils of the springs 2. This flange 10 may be clamped down upon the springs or other support as indicated at 11, Fig. 4, thereby securely locking the springs or supported part to the frame. It will be observed that the flange 10 is inwardly offset from the outer edge of the channel, which makes it possible to effectively clamp the tacking strip within the channel, a supporting surface being provided in opposed relation to the inturned edges 5 of the flange as they are rolled or clamped upon the strip. 7

The support engaging flange 10 is located in opposed relation to the exposed midportion of the tacking insert so that the structure is rendered rigid and well adapted to resist springing action during the upholstering operation.

To join the ends of the frame, when made of a single piece as indicated or when made in sections, I provide a coupling sleeve or sleeves 12. This sleeve is of channel cross section facing upwardly. The frame is arranged with its ends abutting at 13 and the sleeve is arranged in an upwardly facing relation to embrace the frame channel and the edges 14 of the sleeve flanges 15 are clamped upon the top of the frame. The portions of the web 16 of the sleeve are indented at 17 into the clamping edges of the frame channel flanges so that the parts are held against longitudinal separation not only by clamping engagement of the frame upon the sleeve channel but also by these indentations, which results in a very secure joint. The web of the sleeve has openings 18 therein which expose portions of the tacking strip so that the upholstery may be secured at suitable intervals throughout the frame. The sleeve does not interfere with the clamping of the spring or other support as a continuous inwardly facing 2 channel is provided and the flange 11 is provided, permitting positioning of the spring at the joint if desired, and the flange 11 is clamped down the same as when the spring is positioned at some other point. Y

It is frequently desirable to provide substantially right angled corners as 19 and to permit bending I form miter cuts 20, the bottoms 21 of these cuts terminating short of the inturned clamping edges of the channel. This permits bending of the frame to a substantial right angle and at the same time the inturned portion of the flange and the corresponding portion of the top of the channel provides sufficient strength for the corners. Also, the tacking insert being of fibrous fabricated material, the corner is further reinforced and the material may be bent when thus mitered without material weakening.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in a very practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate certain embodiments and adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A border frame for spring structures comprising a downwardly facing sheet metal channel of rectangular cross section and having an integral clamping flange for a supported part resting on the top of the channel, said channel having a tacking strip fitted therein, the edges of the flanges of the channel being folded over the under side of the tacking strip to retain the same and to expose a midportion thereof, said clamping flange being formed of a midportion of the web of the channel folded into a continuous longitudinal double walled angular flange inwardly spaced from the outer edge of the channel, and a coupling sleeve of channel cross section embracing end abutting parts of said frame, the edges of the coupling sleeve being folded upon the top of the channel at opposite sides of said clamping flange, portions of the web of said coupling sleeve being indented into the clamping edges of said frame channel flanges, the web of the coupling having a plurality of holes therein to expose portions of the said tacking strip between said clamping edges of said channel to receive upholstery securing tacks.

2. A border frame for spring structures comprising a downwardly facing sheet metal channel of rectangular cross section and having an integral clamping flange for a supported part resting on the top of the channel, said channel having a tacking strip fitted therein, the edges of the flanges of the channel being folded over the under side of the tacking strip to retain the same and to expose a midportion thereof, said clamping flange being formed of a midportion of the web of the channel folded into a continuous longitudinal double walled angular flange inwardly spaced from the outer edge of the channel, and .a coupling sleeve of channel cross section embracing end abutting parts of said frame, the edges of the coupling sleeve being folded upon the top of the channel at opposite sides of said clamping flange, the web of said coupling having a plurality of holes therein to expose portions of said tacking strip between said clamping edges of said upholstery securing tacks.

WILLIAM A. FALLS.

channel to receive ll 

